Hey everyone, I am pretty new to this site and i see alot of great info on here. i have been wanting one of these big chevys for a while and i finally picked one up over the weekend. It does need some body work but for the age it is in rear good shape. Anyways the complete drive line is there but there are a few bolts here and there missing and the rear brakes need rebuild so i was thinking of doing the driveline swap asap. I think what i have read on here is i need a s10 4x4 rear that the spring perches will bolt right in is this right? The other this is i was wanting to run a 700r4 so i have over drive and last but not least has anyone ever put a 4.3 fuel injected engine in one of these would that be stupid. I want some decent gas mileage so i dont want a built sbc what do you guys recommend maybe a v6 or something. Let me know thanks.
Sounds like your dream came true. I get 20 mpg on the hwy with my sbc 4bbl carb. I have a friend who picked up a 53 Chevy. We took out the old power plant and dropped in a sbc and 350 auto from a donor car. Done in a weekend. That way we still drive it to meets while he is looking for all the parts and plans the future work. More exciting that waiting for 1-2 years looking at it in the garage. What is a D R Sales Tech?
700 ****** needs the TV cable set up RIGHT. If you arent sure what I mean PLEASE look into this before doing the swap. Lots of hard luck stories on here.
On the engine we just left stock motor mounts still bolted to the horns from the donor car and lowered it into place. Welded the Horns right to the frame. Then on the ******. We welded a flat plate to the cross member and bolted the tail mount to that. We started doing this kind of stuff when we were 16. A stick welder can do wonders. That has been over a year now and he has all the new parts, But he does not want to take it off the road. It is too much fun. Perfectly safe and solid. No it does not handle like a nova front clip, But it does fine. Not a perfect show car, But a Decent car and Fun Cruiser too. CHEAP. Pop the hood and people always say "WOW COOL".
700 R4 ****** mounts will be about a foot behind where the original trans crossmember is so they are a little more work to put in compared to a turbo 350. ch***is engineering makes motor mounts as well as a mount for a modern master cylinder using the stock pedals you definitely want to get a chevs of the 40's catalog. lots of info here on the HAMB about these cars and what people are doing to them.
Stick welder is the way to go. Man, I just got my wiring upgraded in my shop so I could run this thing and I swear it will weld anything! I never have to worry about proper penetration with this puppy! I can't imagine ever having this on the highest setting unless I was welding on a tank with 6 inch plate. Esssh... It's nice tho'.. Make sure you have a GOOD welder.. none of the 110 cheap ****! Get some heat/juice behind that puppy so you know you're welding will hold.. especially with things like motor mounts and ****** mounts. Off my soap box. Toodles.
Yank I'm getting 20.5 mpg on the freeway with efi 5.3 sbc, what do you want? That early chev isn't a lightweight, sometime putting a smaller displacement motor in a car that size, makes the motor work harder, and down goes your mileage. Another thought, when i am cruizn hard, and get into it a few times, I NEVER, think, "Gee, wonder what mpg i'm getting right now." I just punch it and enjoy the ride...
Catalog? Custom Motormounts? This stuff may not be Auto Shop 101. But we did engine transplants after Auto Shop 200 in High School. Chevy in a Ford, Ford in a Jeep. We did not have any Kits...... I am not talking about a Full Blown Race Engine here. Just a great Cruiser that is fun, easy and solid. Have fun with it.
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